Lightning McQueen

About Him

Grew up… in a world populated entirely by talking, sentient cars. With no sign of any humans, these vehicles rule the world. And what’s a car’s favorite form of entertainment? Stock car racing.

Living… in the glitz and glamor of the speed-racing world. Cocky to a fault, rookie racecar Lightning McQueen may be a skilled athlete, but his arrogance eventually costs him first place at the Motor Speedway of the South. As a result, he has to race in a tiebreaker at the Los Angeles International Speedway to determine if he'll take home the coveted Piston Cup.

Visiting... Radiator Springs, a once popular but now forgotten tourist destination. While being transported to California, Lightning gets separated from his transport truck, Mack, and ends up getting lost in the last place he wants to be.

Profession… racecar. The Michael Jordan of the racing world, Lightning McQueen is a young hot shot and he knows it.

Interests… winning, himself, and going extremely fast, all times. His catchphrase? "Speed? I am speed." However, after being chased down by the Radiator Springs sheriff, Lightning gets sentenced by the judge Doc Hudson to the arduous task of repaving the town's road. Though initially resentful, Lightning's respect for the judge soars when he finds out the stoic Doc Hudson was once a racing legend.

Relationship Status… developing a relationship with Sally, the Radiator Springs attorney and owner of the Cozy Cone Motel. But can Lightning learn to appreciate the slower life she's cultivated in Radiator Springs?

Challenge… making it to the Los Angeles International by the time of the race. Initially, Lightning is so impatient get out of town that he does a hasty job – but over time, the young racecar learns to slow down and love the other residents of Radiator Springs.

Personality… arrogant, stubborn, and impatient. However, Lightning eventually realizes that life in the fast lane isn't all it's cracked up to be, and that winning isn't everything.

Lightning McQueen's popularity ranking on CharacTour is #1992 out of 5,300+ characters. See our top-ranked characters and read their profiles.

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Find Him In

Cars

Lightning McQueen, a hotshot rookie race car driven to succeed, discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line, when he finds himself unexpectedly detoured in the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. On route across the country to the big Piston Cup Championship in California to compete against two seasoned pros, McQueen gets to know the town's offbeat characters.

Cars 2

Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race. But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.

Cars 3

Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician with her own plan to win, inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet, and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn't through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing's biggest stage!

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